The verdict
A struggling off-road suv, strong on value and held back by efficiency.
Overall 1.75 (C-) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is value & market position at 2.78 (B-), its weakest efficiency & range at 0.67 (F). 4 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Value & Market Position
- Technology & Infotainment
- Use-Case Fit
What holds it back
- Efficiency & Range
- Reliability & Quality
- Space & Comfort
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Ford Bronco
1.84C-
Jeep WranglerOff-Road SUVBetter at: Hardcore off-roadingThe direct rival and the more committed trail machine, with an aftermarket and resale story no one else in the segment matches — worth it if pavement manners are secondary.
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2.38C+
Toyota 4RunnerOff-Road SUVBetter at: Long-term reliabilityTrades the Bronco's driving polish for Toyota durability and an available third row, which matters given the Bronco's below-average reliability forecast and 3 yr/36,000 mi warranty.
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1.71C-
Ford Bronco SportSubcompact SUVBetter at: Efficiency and costCosts far less, gets much better mileage, and is rated well above the big Bronco for predicted reliability — enough SUV for buyers who wanted the look more than the locking diffs.
CompareHow it's evolved
6 scored model years · 2021–2026
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 56 | 40 | 59 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 65 | 62 | 70 | 74 |
| 2025 | 56 | 40 | 54 | 50 | 56 | 53 | 67 | 62 | 66 | 69 |
| 2024 | 55 | 40 | 54 | 49 | 50 | 49 | 65 | 62 | 61 | 71 |
| 2023 | 56 | 40 | 46 | 49 | 49 | 45 | 64 | 61 | 68 | 72 |
| 2022 | 51 | 39 | 47 | 49 | 51 | 36 | 64 | 58 | 67 | 72 |
| 2021 | 52 | 46 | 54 | 48 | 56 | 41 | 59 | 60 | 67 | 73 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Trims & configurations
7 trimsScores above reflect the volume trim. Per-trim specs and scores are rolling out — the full lineup:
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainGrades below the middle of the scale.1.68D
Base 2.3L EcoBoost turbo I-4 is the volume engine across Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, and Heritage Limited Edition trims; rated 300 hp on premium fuel (275 hp on regular).
Base 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 peak torque on premium fuel; the optional 2.7L V6 and Raptor's 3.0L V6 offer substantially more.
Instrumented tests place 2.3L automatic 4x4 trims (Big Bend, Heritage Limited Edition) in the 7.3–8.5 s range depending on body style and equipment; used a representative figure near the upper-mid of that range for the volume Big Bend trim.
The 2.3L EcoBoost is torquey and adequate but shows mild turbo lag and coarseness under load; the 2.7L V6 is noticeably smoother, and reviewers rate the Raptor's 3.0L V6 as the most refined of the lineup.
The standard 10-speed automatic (shared with F-150/Mustang) shifts crisply and rarely hunts; a 7-speed manual remains available on 2.3L/2.7L 2-door models for enthusiasts.
Nearly all 2024 Bronco trims are rated to tow 3,500 lbs regardless of door count or drivetrain; the Raptor's 3.0L V6 raises that to 4,500 lbs, the model-range max.
4x4 with a 2-speed transfer case is standard across the entire 2024 Bronco lineup (no 4x2 offered), with Ford's G.O.A.T. Modes terrain management and multiple selectable drive modes depending on trim — among the most sophisticated and broadly available 4x4 systems in the segment.
Standard 4x4 delivers 11.6 in of ground clearance; the widely-optioned Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch tires, beadlock-capable wheels, electronic-locking front/rear differentials, and a high-clearance suspension, while the dedicated Black Diamond, Badlands, Everglades, and Raptor trims add steel bumpers, rock rails, skid plates, and (Raptor) long-travel Fox live-valve suspension with 37-inch tires.
Three distinct gas engines (2.3L I-4, 2.7L V6, 3.0L high-output V6 on Raptor) cover mainstream and performance needs, but there is no hybrid, PHEV, or EV option anywhere in the 2024 lineup.
2Efficiency & RangeThe Bronco's lowest-graded category.0.67F
Body-on-frame off-roader with a boxy shape, removable doors/roof, and low-rolling-resistance-unfriendly off-road tires keeps combined MPG near the bottom of the SUV band even on the base 2.3L four-cylinder.
Full-time 4WD hardware, tall stance, and knobby all-terrain tires make stop-and-go city driving the Bronco's weakest efficiency environment.
Brick-like aerodynamics and off-road tire tread keep highway cruising economy low relative to unibody crossover rivals in the SUV band.
The 4-door's larger 20.8-gallon fuel tank offsets its low MPG, delivering roughly mid-pack cruising range for the SUV segment; the 2-door's smaller 16.9-gallon tank trims range further.
At 21 MPG combined and 15,000 mi/yr on regular unleaded, EPA methodology yields roughly $2,750/yr in fuel cost — near the high end of the SUV band, reflecting the Bronco's off-road-focused, aerodynamically inefficient shape.
The volume 2.3L and optional 2.7L engines both run on regular 87-octane unleaded with no premium requirement, keeping per-fill cost low; the performance-oriented 3.0L Raptor engine benefits from premium but doesn't require it.
3SafetyGrades below the middle of the scale.1.61D
NHTSA's test of the 4-door 2024 Bronco returned 4 stars overall in the frontal crash rating (5-star driver / 4-star passenger) with a 3-star rollover-risk sub-score, typical of a tall, body-on-frame SUV; NHTSA has not published a single combined overall star rating for this generation.
IIHS testing disqualified the 2024 Bronco from Top Safety Pick: Marginal headlights, Marginal pedestrian front crash prevention, and Marginal moderate-overlap front performance (elevated rear-occupant chest injury risk), despite otherwise Good small-overlap and side-impact results.
Ford Co-Pilot360 (Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian AEB, forward collision warning, BLIS blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, auto high-beams, and a lane-keeping system) is standard across every 2024 trim, but adaptive cruise control requires upgrading to the Mid Package or a higher trim rather than being standard fleet-wide.
IIHS front crash prevention testing rated the Bronco's pedestrian AEB Marginal, citing late reaction to simulated pedestrians, a recurring weak point despite the system being standard equipment.
BLIS blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard across the entire 2024 lineup as part of the base Co-Pilot360 suite, though it remains alert-based rather than adding automatic cross-traffic braking on every trim.
A standard lane-keeping system (departure warning plus corrective steering) is included in base Co-Pilot360, but true lane-centering is bundled with the Mid Package/upper-trim adaptive cruise option rather than standard fleet-wide, and no instrumented review of 2024 centering smoothness was found.
Adaptive cruise control is not standard on the base Big Bend trim and requires the Mid Package upgrade or a higher trim (Badlands, Outer Banks, Wildtrak, Raptor), leaving it unavailable on the volume configuration without an option — a meaningfully more restricted rollout than fully-standard rivals.
BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is not offered on any 2024 Bronco trim, unlike Mustang Mach-E, F-150, and Expedition in the same model year; BlueCruise support requires a newer platform not yet applied to Bronco.
IIHS found the reflector-type LED low beams on the Base/lower-spec headlight system Marginal (inadequate illumination on curves), but the Big Bend with LED Signature package, along with Badlands, Outer Banks, and Raptor, use the better-performing headlight hardware IIHS rated Good — placing the representative configuration above the disqualifying base units.
The Bronco's upright, boxy greenhouse gives good natural sightlines, and reviewers single out its large, crystal-clear rearview camera display as compensating well for the rear roll-bar-heavy structure, consistent across this generation.
LATCH lower anchors are accessible but recessed into the seat bight and take some effort to connect, and the fixed rear head restraints can push convertible/booster seats off the seatback — workable but not effortless, consistent with this generation's rear-seat packaging.
4Space & ComfortOne of the Bronco's weakest categories.1.29D
The 4-door is the volume configuration and seats five across two rows; the 2-door seats four. No third row is offered on either body style.
Boxy roofline gives above-average front headroom for the SUV band on the 4-door volume configuration.
Front legroom is well above the SUV band midpoint, reflecting the Bronco's roomy front footwell.
Boxy roofline yields class-leading second-row headroom, at the top of the SUV band.
Second-row legroom is mid-pack for the SUV band on the 4-door; the 2-door has no usable rear legroom for adults.
No third row is offered on any 2024 Bronco configuration — Ford prioritized off-road geometry and short overhangs over passenger capacity, matching the Wrangler's two-row-only layout.
Behind-rear-seat cargo is modest against the SUV band — boxy proportions and a swing gate limit floor length versus larger unibody rivals.
Max cargo is mid-pack against the SUV band with rear seats folded.
Washout rubberized flooring with passive and active drain plugs is standard on Black Diamond and Badlands (requires marine-grade vinyl seating to retain), a distinctive off-road-oriented feature, but it's trim-gated rather than lineup-wide and there's no standout innovation like a giga console or in-bed trunk.
Front seats are well cushioned and supportive with enough adjustment range to reduce fatigue on long freeway drives; reviewers note ample head-, leg-, and shoulder room, though seats are manually adjustable on lower trims.
Truck-based body-on-frame construction with independent front suspension gives a firmer, occasionally bouncier ride than car-based SUV rivals, but reviewers and owners describe it as composed rather than harsh and better-mannered on-road than the solid-axle Wrangler.
Removable hardtop and doors let in significant wind and road noise at highway speed, described as the Bronco's weakest comfort attribute; this is a known trait of the platform, not unique to 2024.
Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are available starting on Outer Banks, and dual-zone automatic climate control is offered as an option, but ventilated seats and rear climate outlets are not offered on any 2024 trim.
5Cost of OwnershipGrades below the middle of the scale.1.32D
Ford dropped the Base trim for model year 2024, making Big Bend the new entry point; the cheapest 2024 Bronco (Big Bend 2-door) starts meaningfully higher than the discontinued 2023 Base trim.
Outer Banks 4-door is flagged as the most popular 2024 Bronco configuration; the lineup spans Big Bend $39,630 through Badlands ~$51,385 up to Heritage Limited Edition and Raptor at the top.
CarEdge projects combined 5-year maintenance and repair spend well below the SUV norm at roughly $646/yr, though other estimators (RepairPal, KBB) range from lower to considerably higher.
Estimates diverge — CarEdge projects steeper ~57% five-year depreciation (~43% retained) while iSeeCars is notably stronger at 42.6% depreciation (57.4% retained), beating the midsize SUV average of 46.3% depreciation.
Ford's standard 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty applies to the 2024 Bronco, at the low end of the mainstream segment versus Hyundai/Kia's 5-year coverage.
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage is standard Ford issue for 2024 and the shortest in-segment relative to rivals offering 7–10 year powertrain warranties.
No factory-included scheduled maintenance plan, but FordPass Rewards (42,000 points at purchase for vehicles bought before 10/1/2024, roughly covering the first three services) plus 5-year/60,000-mile complimentary Ford Roadside Assistance provide a modest offset versus rivals with true multi-year included maintenance.
$47,940 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (50% retained, or about $23,970) leaves about $23,970 in depreciation. Add the projected $3,230 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $27,200 in total.
6Reliability & QualityOne of the Bronco's weakest categories.1.27D
Consumer Reports' Bronco reliability trend is soft-to-declining across recent model years (about-average for 2025 based on 2022-2023 data, sliding to below-average for 2026 based on 2023-2025 data), placing the 2024 model in that same downward band; JD Power's Bronco predicted-reliability scores have also lagged the segment average.
Ford placed 13th of 22 brands (44 points) in Consumer Reports' 2024 reliability survey — a mid-pack, 'average' showing and an improvement over its historically below-average standing — while JD Power's 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study still found Ford trailing on longer-term dependability despite strong initial quality.
The 2024 Bronco carries an unusually heavy recall load touching safety-critical systems: front upper control arm ball joint detachment (26S10), high-pressure fuel pump bolts on 2.3L EcoBoost engines causing in-bay fuel leaks (25S90), rear quarter-glass panel detachment carried over from 2023 (24S10), fender flare detachment (26S47), and a rearview-camera module overheat/shutdown issue (26S09) — a pattern of repeated safety recalls rather than a clean or merely typical record.
The volume trim's 2.3L EcoBoost turbo-four shares its architecture with the Mustang and Ranger and carries a comparatively clean reputation; the optional 2.7L EcoBoost V6 had documented turbo and valve issues in early Broncos (largely engineered out by 2022+), and the 10-speed automatic has had recurring, if mostly resolved, shift-quality complaints (CDF drum bushing wear) — a mixed but not alarming record by the 2024 model year.
Reviewers consistently flag the Bronco's cabin as dominated by hard, easily-scratched plastics that feel cheap for the price, despite a rugged, retro-styled design that reviewers otherwise praise.
Cabin noise and hardtop-related rattles/wind noise remain a common complaint even with the acoustic-lined roof, but assembly consistency has stabilized relative to the rockier 2021-2022 launch years, landing the 2024 model in the middle of the pack rather than at either extreme.
Ford operates one of the largest dealer networks in the US (~3,000 dealers), giving Bronco owners broad access to service and warranty support nationwide, including in rural markets favored by off-road buyers.
Average annual repair cost for Ford vehicles (~$775) runs above the industry average, and owners report multi-week waits for certain Bronco-specific parts (hardtop, trim) despite a fast-growing aftermarket; genuine OEM parts fit and durability are solid but not cheap.
7Technology & InfotainmentOne of the Bronco's strongest categories.2.36C+
Volume trims (Black Diamond and up) run the 12-inch portrait SYNC 4 display; the two entry trims (Base, Big Bend) retain an 8-inch unit, unchanged for the 2024 model year.
SYNC 4 is consistently praised by reviewers (Car and Driver, MotorTrend) as fast and logically laid out, with real climate/volume knobs preserved alongside the touchscreen — no meaningful change for 2024.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the entire 2024 Bronco lineup with SYNC 4, including the base 8-inch screen.
SYNC 4's voice recognition is functional for basic commands but not conversational, and connected navigation is a step behind class leaders; most owners default to CarPlay/Android Auto maps.
Base audio is adequate; the B&O 10-speaker system (standard on Raptor, available on Badlands/Wildtrak/Outer Banks) is a genuine step up but not offered fleet-wide.
Bronco intentionally keeps analog-style gauges with a small central TFT display rather than a full configurable digital cluster, prioritizing an old-school off-roader feel over screen tech; unchanged for 2024.
SYNC 4 supports over-the-air software and map updates ('Power-Up'), but Bronco lacks the whole-vehicle OTA scope of GM/Tesla/Rivian platforms.
FordPass covers remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle locate with a free tier, but reviewers frequently note connectivity hiccups and a less polished experience than rival apps.
USB-A/USB-C ports front and rear plus an available 400W household AC outlet — a genuinely useful feature for camping/adventure use — with wireless charging on select trims.
Standard exterior SecuriCode keypad (a signature Ford touch) plus available proximity keyless entry and remote start cover the convenience basics well.
Rear camera is standard, with a 360-degree camera system (useful for trail spotting as well as parking) available on Badlands, Wildtrak, Outer Banks, and Raptor.
Ford does not offer a head-up display on any 2024 Bronco trim.
8Use-Case FitOne of the Bronco's strongest categories.2.16C
4-door Bronco has real rear doors and LATCH anchors, but the high step-in, body-on-frame ride height, and boxy but narrow rear door openings make everyday car-seat loading more of a chore than in a crossover; 2-door models are far worse for this use case.
IIHS rated the 2024 Bronco 'Good' in all four crashworthiness tests with a Superior front crash-prevention rating, and Ford Co-Pilot360 (AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high beams) is standard across trims, but NHTSA gave the 4-door only 4/5 stars frontal and 3/5 stars rollover (2-door only rollover-tested at 3/5), leaving the overall crash-test picture weaker than most family SUVs.
4-door rear seat has usable legroom for adults, but the standard soft top (wind/road noise), stiffer off-road-tuned suspension on Sasquatch-equipped trims, and modest sound insulation make multi-hour family trips noisier and less plush than typical family SUVs.
The 10-speed automatic and 2.3L turbo-4 make stop-and-go traffic manageable, and the new-for-2024 standard 12-inch Sync 4 touchscreen improves usability, but body-on-frame steering feel, wider off-road tires, and a high seating/step-in position add fatigue relative to crossover rivals in daily commuting.
EPA-rated roughly 17-20 MPG combined for 2.3L models (15 MPG combined for the Raptor) trails most compact/mid-size SUV rivals by 5-10 MPG, making per-mile running costs high for the segment.
4-door Bronco's footprint and wide off-road tires/fenders make it noticeably harder to place in tight parking than a compact crossover, though a standard backup camera and available parking sensors help offset the bulk.
Tow ratings span 2,000 lbs on the base 1.5L up to 3,500 lbs on the 2.3L and 4,500 lbs with the 2.7L V6, with payload around 1,071-1,453 lbs depending on trim — solid for light-duty work and trailering but well short of a truck or full-size SUV's capacity.
Body-on-frame construction, available locking differentials, and a growing off-road/overlanding fleet track record support a solid durability reputation, though it remains unproven versus decades-long fleet workhorses and has had notable early-production recalls.
Extensive Ford Performance and aftermarket accessory ecosystem (modular front/rear bumpers, roof racks, rock rails, auxiliary switches) supports upfitting, though the lack of a bed limits pure jobsite hauling versus a pickup.
Modest 18-20 MPG combined fuel economy shortens range between fill-ups and the soft-top/removable-door design adds highway wind noise, offsetting the comfortable seats and standard adaptive-cruise-equipped Co-Pilot360 suite.
The Bronco's core mission: removable doors and roof, available Sasquatch package (35-inch tires, front/rear locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar), high ground clearance, and water-fording capability make it a genuine segment-leading off-road adventure vehicle; the returning 2024 Everglades trim adds a snorkel and winch for extreme off-road/water use.
Up to 77.6-83 cu ft with rear seats folded (hardtop vs. soft top), removable doors/roof for open-air gear loading, standard roof rails/rack-ready design, and a wide factory/aftermarket accessory ecosystem give it excellent gear-hauling flexibility.
9Driving ExperienceMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.11C
Body-on-frame off-roader with a solid rear axle (solid front too on Sasquatch trims) and a tall, heavy stance; independent front suspension on non-Sasquatch trims gives it noticeably tighter body control than the live-axle Wrangler, but pronounced body roll and pitch show up under hard cornering and braking. Secure and composed for the segment, not sporty.
Electric rack-and-pinion steering is quick and reasonably well weighted, tracking straight on the highway; it is significantly tighter and more precise than the Wrangler's recirculating-ball setup, though true road feedback is limited by the tall sidewalls and off-road-biased suspension tuning.
Pedal feel is adequate for daily driving but multiple 2024-era instrumented tests flagged longer-than-average stopping distances and a brake response that lags rivals, a known weak point carried over from earlier model years.
The volume 2.3L EcoBoost turbo-four paired with the 10-speed automatic (standard on most trims) shifts smoothly and pulls cleanly around town, with some low-rpm turbo lag and occasional hunting on grades; no stop/start harshness issues reported.
The turbo-four itself is unremarkable in character, but the bigger issue is cabin noise overall — reviewers consistently call the Bronco 'extremely loud' with booming wind noise around the removable hard top, even with the optional acoustic headliner, which colors the everyday refinement impression.
Ford does not publish a single definitive figure across all trims/tire packages; industry sources converge on roughly 37-40 ft for the 4-door, the volume body style, versus a tighter circle for the 2-door.
Upright, commanding seating position with a boxy greenhouse gives excellent outward visibility and easy sightlines to the front corners for off-road placement; grab handles and reasonable step-in height aid ingress/egress despite the tall ride height. Removable doors/roof are a novel but non-ergonomic tradeoff (added wind noise, exposed wiring at the mirrors).
Removable doors and roof, distinctive retro-modern character, G.O.A.T. drive modes and available Trail Turn Assist give the Bronco genuine enthusiast appeal off-road and a sense of occasion missing from most mainstream SUVs, even though on-pavement dynamics are secondary to its mission.
10Value & Market PositionThe Bronco's best-graded category.2.78B-
Ford dropped the entry-level Base trim for 2024, pushing the cheapest Bronco to the Big Bend at $39,130, though every trim gained a larger 12-inch touchscreen (up from 8 inches) and Ford Co-Pilot360 remained standard; wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto was not yet standard (added later in the generation), keeping generosity competitive but not class-leading.
Standard part-time 4WD, G.O.A.T. drive modes, and genuine trail capability still undercut pricier off-roaders, and Consumer Reports rated the 2024 Bronco a better daily driver than the Wrangler with a higher-quality cabin, but elimination of the cheap Base trim and the 2024 model's underwhelming fuel economy and long stopping distances noted in CR testing trimmed the value proposition versus the prior model year.
Nine 2024 trims (Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, Everglades, Heritage Edition, Heritage Limited Edition, Raptor) spanning roughly $39K to $90K, with 2-door/4-door bodies, 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic, and 2.3L four-cylinder or 2.7L/3.0L V6 powertrains — one of the widest configuration spreads in the segment.
The Bronco moved 109,172 units in calendar-year 2024 versus the Jeep Wrangler's 151,163 — a roughly 42,000-unit gap that persisted every quarter of the year, though Q4 2024 Bronco sales jumped 127% year-over-year (32,224 units) signaling strong momentum even while trailing the segment leader.
By 2024 the revived Bronco had built a genuine enthusiast following (Bronco Nation) and reviewers were already rating it ahead of the Wrangler for daily livability and cabin quality, giving it a growing halo even though Ford's mainstream brand image is more neutral than dedicated off-road specialists.
2024 Bronco financing topped out around 6.9% APR for 72 months with no 0% APR offers, and cash incentives were modest and trim-limited (around $3,000 Retail Customer Cash on Badlands/Wildtrak/Raptor in select regions) — occasional, unremarkable deals rather than aggressive discounting, consistent with still-strong demand for the nameplate.
2024 was the fourth model year of the generation launched for 2021, receiving a meaningful mid-cycle update (12-inch touchscreen standard fleet-wide, Raptor Code Orange package, new colors, returning Everglades trim) without any confirmed redesign on the near horizon at the time — current for its cycle but not brand new.
The Bronco carried forward strong critical momentum from back-to-back Car and Driver 10Best Trucks and SUVs wins in the prior two model years, and Consumer Reports rated the 2024 Bronco a superior daily driver to the Wrangler with better handling, ride, and cabin quality, tempered by long stopping distances and underwhelming fuel economy in CR's road test; KBB owner sentiment was strongly positive (93% recommend).